The Bright Eyed Brunette

"Lord, fix me because sometimes I'm the problem".  There are moments in life when it's easier to point fingers than to look in the mirror. We notice what others did wrong, how they hurt us, or how they made life harder. But if I'm being honest, sometimes the biggest problem in my life...is me. I don't like admitting that. It's uncomfortable to say, "Lord, I've got attitudes, habits, and patterns that are standing in the way of peace and growth." But the truth is, I don't just need God to fix situations; I need Him to fix me. It's humbling to realize that I can be short-tempered, unforgiving, stubborn, or even blind to the ways I hurt others. Sometimes my words cut deeper than I intended. Sometimes I hold grudges a little too long. And sometimes, instead of praying for God to change me , I pray for Him to change everyone else . But the Holy Spirit reminds me that real transformation begins with me. Psalm 139:23-24 says, "Search me...

 There's something about sitting down to a meal that brings the whole household together. It doesn't have to be fancy--sometimes the simplest dishes become the most memorable. One of my favorite go-to family meals is Cheesy Baked Ziti. It's quick enough for a weeknight, comforting enough for Sunday dinner, and almost guaranteed to leave everyone asking for seconds. This can be a very customizable meal. Add meat, go vegetarian or sneak in extra veggies. It's kid-approved and makes for great leftovers. Ingredients 1 pound ziti or penne pasta 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage (optional) 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese 1 cup ricotta or cottage cheese 1/2 cup grated Parmesan 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning Salt and pepper to taste Instructions Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside. In a skillet, brown the meat (if using) with garlic, seasoning, salt, and pepper. Drain excess...

I haven't done a post about the books I've read in a while. And while I haven't read as many as I should have at this point in the year, here are of few of my latest page turners. First up is The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah. I know I am a little behind on the Kristin Hannah train, but finally, I have arrived! If you love historical fiction, this a great read.  With powerful insight, Kristin Hannah captures the epic panorama of War World II and highlights an intimate part of history seldom seen: the women's war. This is the story of two sisters, separated by years of experience, passion and circumstance, each embarking on her own dangerous path towards survival, love, and freedom in German-occupied, war-torn France. It celebrates the resilience of the human spirit and the durability of women. An absolute must-read! Next up, Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney They don't call Alice Feeney the "Queen of Twists" for nothing. This is a thriller about marriage...an...

 Happy Monday, friends! I hope you all had a great weekend. We were busy here on the homestead. Carlie and Caleb are finally in their new house! We are proud of them and for them. It's a beautiful house, and Wrenley and Macy (the dog) have a fenced-in backyard to play in now. I was busy watching Wrenley while they were moving with the help of Caleb's parents, my parents, and Trey.  My little passenger princess wanted to stop at the gas station and get a bug juice :) I love her little imagination. She loves to dress up her baby doll and take it for a ride in the Cozy Coup. On to other good news: Rice Harvest 2025 is DONE! Praise the Lord, they wrapped up on Saturday afternoon! Rice Harvest complete✅ On to bean harvest now! Carl and I managed to make a quick trip to the river to check on the houseboat.  We made it down to the boat and realized that we left the key in the truck. I guess that is better than last time when we left the key at the house! One day we will have it ...

 Scripture tells us that shepherds are entrusted with God's flock, no for selfish gain but "being examples to the flock" (1 Peter 5:3). A pastor's calling is a holy one, rooted in humility, sacrifice, and love. But Jesus also warned that not every shepherd has pure intentions--some are "wolves in sheep's clothing" (Matthew 7:15).  As believers, we must stay discerning. Here are some red flags to watch out for in pastors: 1.  Special Treatment for Certain Families  James warns against showing partiality (James 2:1-4), yet some pastors cater to certain families, wealthy donors, or influential members while neglecting the rest of the body. Christ doesn't play favorites--every soul in the church matters equally to Him. A true shepherd cares for the unnoticed as much as the well-known. 2. Neglecting the Brokenhearted  Jesus came to heal the brokenhearted (Luke 4:18), but a pastor who avoids the messy, hurting, or less "influential" people in th...

 I like to think of myself as a person who generally isn't easy to offend. Lately, though, I've found myself getting more and more offended than ever before! In the times we're living in, everyone is on edge. And if you're like me, maybe you've been getting more offended than ever before too. When I think about what's happening in the world, there's more division than ever! You can feel anger and animosity in the atmosphere. If there's anything the enemy would love right now is for believers to turn on one another because of hurt or offense. The enemy may be working hard to create division in our relationships, but if we can learn to overcome the spirit of offense, we can forge stronger, healthier relationships in all areas of our lives. So what exactly is offense? Offense is anger, resentment, irritation, exasperation, annoyance, animosity...Need I say more? A spirit of offense is feeling resentment because of an actual or perceived insult. Sometimes of...